"UNSOLICITED" NBC AA Promotion

PROMOTION – NOT ATTRACTION?

You’re damned right!

This is an amazing one and a half minute news clip. Just listen to how AA is characterized and explained. Genius! It clearly explains why AA can help alcoholics and why medicine and professional “Addictions” counselors operating from that Treatment Center-Rehab realm are totally ineffective for real alcoholics. One of the two missing links – what WE have – and they don’t is revealed in this clip and it is told clearly why “You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. ” (89:0)

Someone in Oregon has “Got it”.

When I was a Stockbroker on Wall Street there was an important word used with regard to the sales of securities – “UNSOLICITED”.

There is a big difference between a “Solicited” trade and an “Unsolicited” trade that could make the difference between getting a fine, a slap on the wrist or even disbarred from the Securities Industry.

Some securities we were not even ever allowed to be placed as “solicited” orders unless the seller (me) could be certain that the buyer met certain minimum net worth requirements and was an experienced investor. This was especially true with Private Placements, and high risk issues in which I specialized.

I believe the same difference can apply to Tradition Eleven. Of course we are SUPPOSED to be promoting sobriety in our personal recovery efforts – actively seeking out other alcoholics. Attraction not promotion is limited to the PUBLIC LEVEL.

You’d never know it though – when asking someone how come they aren’t sponsoring anyone. I am sure you have heard what they say?

“NO one has asked me” UGH! (I think I just puked in my mouth thinking about it.)

Hey, want to send someone you know a “message” – maybe someone who might be “One of us” but doesn’t know it yet? Send them a link to this video! What the hell! Who knows? Maybe they’ll even get to read some of the articles here and see something that can help.

Of course then you would be “Soliciting” AA – but AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL – like we are supposed to be doing.

“Search out another alcoholic” (96:0)
That means we should be out there soliciting! Not sitting on our fat, not drinking today, asses – Styrofoam cup in hand, waiting for some poor lob to come staggering down the church basement steps and fall into our laps!

If any reader who would like to send this video anonymously – just let me know. I’ll give you a free (to you) email account with a new name to use – that can’t be traced back to YOU!

Just email me and I’ll set it up for you.

I am dead serious. Of course, there really is no reason to hide your identity. Either way – get down here in the trench with me and others who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of body and mind – and let’s stir up some shit!

Peace,

Danny S

"UNSOLICITED" NBC AA Promotion

PROMOTION – NOT ATTRACTION?

You’re damned right!

This is an amazing one and a half minute news clip. Just listen to how AA is characterized and explained. Genius! It clearly explains why AA can help alcoholics and why medicine and professional “Addictions” counselors operating from that Treatment Center-Rehab realm are totally ineffective for real alcoholics. One of the two missing links – what WE have – and they don’t is revealed in this clip and it is told clearly why “You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. ” (89:0)

Someone in Oregon has “Got it”.

When I was a Stockbroker on Wall Street there was an important word used with regard to the sales of securities – “UNSOLICITED”.

There is a big difference between a “Solicited” trade and an “Unsolicited” trade that could make the difference between getting a fine, a slap on the wrist or even disbarred from the Securities Industry.

Some securities we were not even ever allowed to be placed as “solicited” orders unless the seller (me) could be certain that the buyer met certain minimum net worth requirements and was an experienced investor. This was especially true with Private Placements, and high risk issues in which I specialized.

I believe the same difference can apply to Tradition Eleven. Of course we are SUPPOSED to be promoting sobriety in our personal recovery efforts – actively seeking out other alcoholics. Attraction not promotion is limited to the PUBLIC LEVEL.

You’d never know it though – when asking someone how come they aren’t sponsoring anyone. I am sure you have heard what they say?

“NO one has asked me” UGH! (I think I just puked in my mouth thinking about it.)

Hey, want to send someone you know a “message” – maybe someone who might be “One of us” but doesn’t know it yet? Send them a link to this video! What the hell! Who knows? Maybe they’ll even get to read some of the articles here and see something that can help.

Of course then you would be “Soliciting” AA – but AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL – like we are supposed to be doing.

“Search out another alcoholic” (96:0)
That means we should be out there soliciting! Not sitting on our fat, not drinking today, asses – Styrofoam cup in hand, waiting for some poor lob to come staggering down the church basement steps and fall into our laps!

If any reader who would like to send this video anonymously – just let me know. I’ll give you a free (to you) email account with a new name to use – that can’t be traced back to YOU!

Just email me and I’ll set it up for you.

I am dead serious. Of course, there really is no reason to hide your identity. Either way – get down here in the trench with me and others who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of body and mind – and let’s stir up some shit!

Peace,

Danny S

A Way Out . . .

. . . Of Sponsorship Responsibly

Are you like me? Did you believe that “Attraction not promotion” had to do with letting suffering alcoholics go – who I conveniently determined “Weren’t ready” for Prime Time. This is what we are told, right?

The reality was that I did not have any real message to transmit much beyond giving out my phone number, a smile and a good word and an occasional ride to a meeting. So “Attraction not promotion” was my way out of responsibility for sponsoring others.

THEY GOTTA COME TO THE GREAT “I AM”. Not that I could have really sponsored others anyway – I was “Still Recovering” – still living with page 52 of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous” as my resume. It is impossible to pass on to another anything which I do not myself posses.

It is much easier claiming preference to “Walking the talk” than to devote significant time and effort into actually working with other alcoholics as prescribed in our Big Book.

How egotistical is this:

WATCH ME WALK! I just show up – in my tagged, insured and inspection stickered car, a nice watch and no booze on my breath – the very sight and sound of ME SOBER will be my Twelve Stepping effort . Toss out a word of wisdom – preferable one that makes me sound humble – a phone number and “That’s all I can do.” I am SO attractive I MUST be something to see! SO INSPIRING I AM! They will WANT WHAT I HAVE!

How UGLY is that!

So while “Attraction not promotion” is often used as a faux-tenet of 12 stepping, sponsoring and working with others, at the same time our Big Book is suggesting a much more proactive stance in seeking out others with whom to work in order to maintain my own sobriety and to be of MAXIMUM service to God and our fellows.

A contradiction?

Once becoming involved in service and studying these Traditions it becomes plain that this idea of “attraction not promotion” comes NOT from working with others on the personal recovery level, but instead from AAs PR policy, at the PUBLIC level.

It is amazing how little snippets of text like this one out of Tradition Eleven can be manipulated and misquoted, plugged into personal recovery, to our own benefit, when it can instead be used as designed: To benefit others.

Speaking of snippets – how’s this one out of the Big Book:

“Do not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once. Search out another alcoholic and try again. You are sure to find someone desperate enough to accept with eagerness what you offer. ” (96:0)

Now how can I do that . . . “Search out another alcoholic” . . . if I am waiting for some poor soul to be “Attracted” to me first?
Here’s the Traition and from where the “non-promotion” idea comes:

“Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.”

You, me and most of our fellows are NOT employed by GSO. We are not AAWS. We are NOT speaking for our Groups. We do not represent AA at ANY level, let alone the public media. Some of us do on occasion get called upon to appear and speak at the public media level and when we do, hopefully we will remain anonymous by not using our full names. (Which does not mean “top secret” , by the way. I mean, if you are a wanted fugitive and provide a sound video sound byte for the local TV station – I think you can reasonably expect a knock on the door – and that your next meal will be probably be a baloney sandwich on stale bread. )

Do you see the contradiction between what so many of us THINK we know about working with others vs. what IS in the Big Book about working with others?

More on this topic: (He got off his ass)

Peace,

Danny S

A Way Out . . .

. . . Of Sponsorship Responsibly

Are you like me? Did you believe that “Attraction not promotion” had to do with letting suffering alcoholics go – who I conveniently determined “Weren’t ready” for Prime Time. This is what we are told, right?

The reality was that I did not have any real message to transmit much beyond giving out my phone number, a smile and a good word and an occasional ride to a meeting. So “Attraction not promotion” was my way out of responsibility for sponsoring others.

THEY GOTTA COME TO THE GREAT “I AM”. Not that I could have really sponsored others anyway – I was “Still Recovering” – still living with page 52 of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous” as my resume. It is impossible to pass on to another anything which I do not myself posses.

It is much easier claiming preference to “Walking the talk” than to devote significant time and effort into actually working with other alcoholics as prescribed in our Big Book.

How egotistical is this:

WATCH ME WALK! I just show up – in my tagged, insured and inspection stickered car, a nice watch and no booze on my breath – the very sight and sound of ME SOBER will be my Twelve Stepping effort . Toss out a word of wisdom – preferable one that makes me sound humble – a phone number and “That’s all I can do.” I am SO attractive I MUST be something to see! SO INSPIRING I AM! They will WANT WHAT I HAVE!

How UGLY is that!

So while “Attraction not promotion” is often used as a faux-tenet of 12 stepping, sponsoring and working with others, at the same time our Big Book is suggesting a much more proactive stance in seeking out others with whom to work in order to maintain my own sobriety and to be of MAXIMUM service to God and our fellows.

A contradiction?

Once becoming involved in service and studying these Traditions it becomes plain that this idea of “attraction not promotion” comes NOT from working with others on the personal recovery level, but instead from AAs PR policy, at the PUBLIC level.

It is amazing how little snippets of text like this one out of Tradition Eleven can be manipulated and misquoted, plugged into personal recovery, to our own benefit, when it can instead be used as designed: To benefit others.

Speaking of snippets – how’s this one out of the Big Book:

“Do not be discouraged if your prospect does not respond at once. Search out another alcoholic and try again. You are sure to find someone desperate enough to accept with eagerness what you offer. ” (96:0)

Now how can I do that . . . “Search out another alcoholic” . . . if I am waiting for some poor soul to be “Attracted” to me first?
Here’s the Traition and from where the “non-promotion” idea comes:

“Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.”

You, me and most of our fellows are NOT employed by GSO. We are not AAWS. We are NOT speaking for our Groups. We do not represent AA at ANY level, let alone the public media. Some of us do on occasion get called upon to appear and speak at the public media level and when we do, hopefully we will remain anonymous by not using our full names. (Which does not mean “top secret” , by the way. I mean, if you are a wanted fugitive and provide a sound video sound byte for the local TV station – I think you can reasonably expect a knock on the door – and that your next meal will be probably be a baloney sandwich on stale bread. )

Do you see the contradiction between what so many of us THINK we know about working with others vs. what IS in the Big Book about working with others?

More on this topic: (He got off his ass)

Peace,

Danny S

Mamaluke! Have You Done Your Chores Today?

Hey! What do you gotta do?

Let me tell you something. For years going to AA meetings was a chore for me. It was one of the thing I “HAD TO DO” like putting down the toilet seat in my house, taking out the trash, shaving, shopping, going to work, making sangweeches for my kids lunch. If I didn’t do any of these things then my life became unmanageable. (If you are married then you’ll agree with ALL of these.)

My fellowship goombas told me that “Lot’s of meetings” was one of the things I had to do to stay sober – for if I did not remain sober I could not enjoy life much. There was even the pressure of being clocked by others in meetings and by implied sober seniority “rules”

But when this “Design for living” (15:2 – 28:2 – 81:3) called “the Twelve Steps” actually becomes the LIVING part of our existence, then it’s all just one big ball of happiness, joy and wonderful, new freedom!!

When life becomes “Something I do in-between meetings” separating the AA Program from life – then both life AND meetings become chores. Why anyone would think that’s a good way to live – I just don’t know.

And that’s your DIRTY LITTLE AA SECRET! I know – don’t bullshit me pal! You are BORED in AA MEETINGS. They make you stoonad – you know it’s true.

So here’s the solution! I swear it is!

I get most of my guys right now from meetings – not all – but most. I get there early – I stay late. I circulate. I advertise. Prospecting IS promotion AND attraction. I leave the old misquoted sound byte for Tradition Eleven (Attraction not promotion) where it originates and belongs. (See: Can I Come Over?)

I let people know I am an active sponsor and always available. I hand out my little prospecting cards which tell folks I am available for work. I keep my eye out on the crowd and pretty much try not to groan out loud listening to the speaker. HA!

Yes, Joe and Jane middle-of-the-road solutions based AAers – you AND your sad-sack drunkologue is one big fucking bore to real alcoholics! They may excite non-alcoholics like those who thought James Frey’s story was “inspiring” – but not real McCoys. (see: Boring)

Sometime people come to meetings specifically looking for me. Sometimes I have to chase them down a bit. Someone like Cliff B may have to yell at me and tell me to get my ass down to the local Sally if find myself in a dry spell. And hurtin’

But I am always “WITH CHILD” when it comes to drunks with whom to work. THANK GOD!

AA as a Fellowship is not boring when I am using it as it was designed – as a society and supportive means of upholding our PRIMARY PURPOSE.

And if you are unable to do this, because you don’t work with others, or aren’t’ qualified to sponsor others because you haven’t recovered – then what the hell are you doing in AA meetings anyway? Drinking our coffee? Trying to screw our gals? Searching for a Goumada? Pleasing the spouse, the hardon with a suitcase, the boss or the courts?

Fine –then suffer!

As life throws its curves and bumps in front of me, there is no longer the urge to “Get to a meeting” to settle myself. I no longer get “Squirreley” if I miss a few days, or even a week of meetings. As far as I know, no one regularly characterizes me as a “serene” man. But certainly I do KNOW serenity, which is one of the hundreds of promises made to me by the authors or the Big Book provided I take other simple steps. (And in the case of “knowing serenity” – made my amends.)

If the lack of a meeting began to once again affect my serenity then I’d have to take a real serious look at my spiritual condition. Being dependent upon meetings to keep my head on straight doesn’t sound like very much freedom to me.

The joy in carrying our Primary Purpose into the Home group is the CURE for all meeting malaise. It works. I assure you. You won’t be watching the clock. You wont’ be staring at the pink thong sticking out of the jeans in the folding chair in front of you. (Well, maybe someday – after you walk on water), and you wont be making the mad dash through the parking lot to get to your car so you don’t miss The Sopranos. You may actually be useful!

Going to meetings to stay sober or so you don’t get mooshadda for another freakin‘ day is totally stoonad. It SUCKS EGGS! Going to meetings to be useful and to find another alcoholic to bring to God is a wonderful existence full of purpose and joy – not a chore.

Peace,

Danny S